Santa Croce is the largest Franciscan church still in existence today. Founded in 1294, it is widely considered to be among the Pantheon of Italian glories. It honors some of the most important names of Italian history, including those who have strongly influenced the country’s rich art, literature and musical traditions.
Among some of the most famous tombs at Santa Croce are those of Michelangelo, Niccolò Machiavelli, Vittorio Alfieri, Galileo Galilei, Leonardo Bruni, Gioacchino Rossini and Lorenzo Ghiberti, realized by some very famous artists such as Rossellino, Desiderio da Settignano and Canova.
With this in mind, it is little wonder that Ugo Foscolo, at the beginning of 1800s, wrote his most famous poem I sepolcri or ‘about the tombs’ in reference to Santa Croce. The church has long been considered a place to go to be inspired to become a better person due to the important people buried there.
Besides the tombs, you can also see one of the most important works of Giotto, the frescoes of the life of Saint Francis, in the Bardi chapel. The school of Giotto frescoes, the Peruzzi chapel, and the apse are the works of Giotto’s assistant, Agnolo Gaddi.
Don’t forget to have a look at Donatello’s masterpieces: the Annunciation, an exquisite gilded limestone high relief that expresses a quiet intimacy of emotions, and the Crucifix located in one of the left side transept chapels (Bardi di Vernio).
Santa Croce has 270 tombstones of people, making it a rare historical site in Italy and the world.
Opening Hours:
Monday – Saturday
9.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.
Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation: Epiphany (January 6), Assumption of Mary (August 15), All Saints Day (November 1), Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
2.00 p.m. – 5.00 p.m. (last admission is at 5.00 p.m.)
Closing days:
New Year’s Day (January 1), Easter, St. Anthony of Padua (June 13), St. Francis (October 4), Christmas (December 25), St. Stephen’s Day (December 26).
The Complex of Santa Croce is open on Easter Monday, Liberation Day from the Nazi Germany (April 25), Labour Day (May 1) and Republic Day (June 2).